I seriously can’t remember when I’ve been so excited to show you a project! I hope you love this repurposed pallet coffee cup rack as much as I do! I sure did have fun making it.
When I started this project, I couldn’t remember if I got this pallet at Home Depot or Target. However looking at the picture, I now know where I got it. Orange! It’s a small pallet, and I feel certain that it must be heat treated, not chemically treated. Looking at the date on the image, I’ve had this pallet for exactly a year!
By the way, would you believe this is my very first pallet project? I set the pallet up on my jawhorse so I could sand the boards. Realizing that some of it is in pretty bad shape, I decide that it might be best if I take it apart and sort of reconfigure it.
I have this great new tool, called a Deck Wrecker. I got it off of Amazon. I actually bought it to help me dismantle old fence sections. Using it on this small pallet was so darn easy!
The Deck Wrecker took all the boards apart without a single busted board. I tapped the nails through, and removed them with a hammer.
If you would love to see the Deck Wrecker in action be sure to check out my video post “how to dismantle pallets”
I removed the nails and saved them, so I can keep the pallet’s integrity when I reassemble it. I trimmed the boards down to about 36”, removing both original ends on each board.
After sanding the boards again on all sides and edges, I gave them a coat of Minwax Dark Walnut on all sides.
To reassemble the pallet, I used staples for the two boards on the back of the pallet. (they wouldn’t be visible on my project.
For the boards on the front, I drilled pilot holes and used the original nails.
I made a stencil in my Silhouette program. You can see that I used “STENCIL” font at a size of about 230. The stencil was right about 34” long. I cut the first 2 lines, then I moved them off the template, and cut the last line and the coffee cups.
NOTE: I add a box around all of my text to make it have straight edges, making it easier to apply evenly on the boards.
I cut this stencil out of contact paper with my blade on #2, and the thickness setting on 4.
I did a couple of live videos on Periscope showing how I do the stenciling for signs. I edited 3 videos to show how I remove the backing, place the stencil, THEN weed out the letters.
Using the box around each of the lines of text is the key to making this work so easily. I just rip the contact paper down those lines.
You can see I used painter’s tape to mark the edge, so that when I have the stencil in my hands, it will be easy to center.
I lay the contact paper upside down, and peel the backing away. I then place the stencil down on the board.
I use Martha Stewart foam pouncers for all of my stenciling projects.
I purchased an image in the Silhouette online store to add to my coffee cup rack.
Here’s the video. I hope it helps you to think about the way you stencil. This way really makes stenciling so easy.
Check out how I did the Periscope video with my phone clamped with a tri-pod and a large bar clamp. What I learned—I should have had it clamped to something other than my wobbly work table.
I didn’t have any black hooks, so I spray painted some nickel ones with Krylon ColorMaster.
I was so excited to finish my first pallet project, I hung it on the fence to take a picture to share with my friends!
I absolutely LOVE how this project turned out. I’m itching to find another great pallet to do my next project. Those who know me well—know a little secret about me. I do NOT drink coffee!
I would love for you to pin this project so that others will see how easy it is to do these large stenciled signs.
Be sure to check out the coffee station that prompted me to do this pallet coffee cup rack!
If you are a coffee lover, you will also love these easy cabinet door coffee signs.
gail
sharing at
Karen says
October 10, 2017 at 8:57 pmHi Gail,
I’m a newbie at all of this. Can you enlighten me on the stencil program? Do you have a way of printing onto contact paper or do you trace the images onto contact paper? Then, are you cutting around each letter and design from that program to get each letter? I’m thinking there is no way I’m sure-handed enough to do this.
Gail Wilson says
October 10, 2017 at 9:59 pmKaren,
I have a machine that cuts out stencils and vinyl lettering. I have a Silhouette, but there are also Cricut machines that do the same thing.
Silhouette usually has really big black friday sales, or you could check on Amazon.
gail
Maria says
June 13, 2017 at 2:45 pmHi Gail,
May I ask what kind of paint you used?
Gail Wilson says
June 13, 2017 at 5:01 pmMaria,
I used Behr wall paint. I use it on most of my projects.
gail
Maria says
June 13, 2017 at 6:43 pmThank you for the info.
Cristina says
August 10, 2016 at 12:29 pmLove this project! Gotta go find my first pallet too.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
August 10, 2016 at 12:38 pmYes! you must. It’s so much fun.
gail
Mary says
August 7, 2016 at 2:04 pmFreezer paper makes great stencils, cut your stencil, iron it on using low heat, let paint dry peel off reusable up to 5 times.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
August 8, 2016 at 9:40 pmYep, I don’t use freezer paper. I love using the contact paper. Thanks for your input.
gail
Meegan says
March 28, 2016 at 11:34 pmI really like your creative coffee station from a pallet. Funny thing-I don’t drink coffee either, I will have tea or hot chocolate any day of the week, though.
Thanks for sharing your work!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
March 29, 2016 at 9:03 amMeegan,
Thanks for stopping by to check out my pallet projects! 🙂 Happy Tuesday to you!
gail
Leanne says
March 28, 2016 at 6:53 pmGail, love this pallet project! I see it was your first one, how many have you done since? It’s addicting! I need to play around with my silhouette machine more, this got me really itching to get it out! Love your work!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
March 29, 2016 at 8:25 pmLeanne,
I’ve only done about 3 pallet projects, but I do a lot of reclaimed fence projects. 🙂
I love making stencils with my Silouette Portrait.
Let me know if you have any questions about the stenciling.
gail
Lindsay Eidahl says
March 28, 2016 at 10:23 amGreat project! I love the dark stain! Perfection!!!
Joan says
February 19, 2016 at 7:13 pmOnce you do one pallet you’ll be hooked. You’ll see pallets everywhere, you’ll dream of pallets, pallet wood will show up in every project…OK, maybe that’s just me. I knew I liked you, I’m not a coffee drinker either.
Susan Homeroad says
November 10, 2015 at 10:14 pmI am so going to try to lay my vinyl stencil down first and then weed out the letters. Usually Im using the transfer paper and that gets expensive! I’m also going to try contact paper for my stencils. I’ve been buying a stack of vinyl and using the colors I don’t like for stencils… also expensive! Thanks for the great tips!
Jeanie @ create&babble says
August 22, 2015 at 10:59 amThat’s two more things we have in common: I’ve never worked with a pallet before and I don’t drink coffee either! Wait, three: I love this coffee cup rack – nicely done! FOUR: I love making stencils with my Silhouette ; ) I think a need a deck wrecker thingie now.
Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
August 21, 2015 at 10:44 amGail…that is a fun project and thanks so much for the tutorial! I’ve wanted to try making stencils with my Silhoutte for the longest time and didn’t know to change the setting on the blade.
Bliss says
August 21, 2015 at 8:34 amSo much to say in this comment….. you have a fine look pallet both before and after, I can’t believe it’s your first project (trying to think myself if I have any) and this deck wrecker thing, I think my husband needs that since he’s forever pulling apart boards.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
August 21, 2015 at 9:16 amI was lucky to come across the perfect pallet a year ago….it was just waiting for a purpose.
I haven’t done a fence or anything else with that deck wrecker, but I loved how it didn’t split any of these boards.
gail
Mindi says
August 20, 2015 at 1:02 amThis is so great Gail, and yay you finally did a pallet project! That deck wrecker is super cool, and great tips for periscope too! It is fun to watch the video, we stencil a little different, I will have to try your version sometime! Love it!
doreen @ Altered Artworks says
August 19, 2015 at 5:58 pmYou had me at love & coffee. Great job, and great tips! [pinned]
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
August 19, 2015 at 7:17 pmThanks for pinning Doreen! 🙂
Donna Marie says
August 19, 2015 at 10:46 amWhat a wonderful project! It goes so well with the coffee bar!!!
Thanks for the video–I needed that!!!
Kirby says
August 19, 2015 at 6:39 amPinned! This is a great project for some of our wood scraps. Awesome!
girlfromwva says
August 18, 2015 at 8:15 pmA-W-E-S-O-M-E!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
August 18, 2015 at 9:08 pmThank you Nova! I guess it will find a new home at Glendale this year. 🙂
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking says
August 18, 2015 at 3:15 pmIt’s great, I think most coffee drinkers would want one just like it. I can’t believe you’ve never used a pallet before!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
August 18, 2015 at 3:17 pmfirst pallet… I know!! I’ve just never had a reason before. 🙂
Kathy Harton says
August 18, 2015 at 3:08 pmGail, this is awesome. I just found a small cabinet to use as a coffee station and have been on the look out for something to hang above it. This would be perfect. Thanks!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
August 18, 2015 at 3:14 pmThanks so much Kathy! I’m so happy to inspire you! I’m glad I needed a project to hang over my coffee station (that I’m blogging about tomorrow)
gail
Mary says
August 18, 2015 at 1:27 pmI love it!! It is so cute. LOOKS so easy. YOU ROCK! Gail
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
August 18, 2015 at 3:15 pmThank you Mary. I love easy projects that fill in the time between the biggies!
gail
chris aka monkey says
August 18, 2015 at 1:22 pmgail i do drink coffee and i would love to have this hanging on my wall your 1st pallet project is a hit with me … pinned xx
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
August 18, 2015 at 3:15 pmI appreciate you pinning Chris!
thanks!
gail